Excitement for me still lingers in the air and I have yet to come down from my “financial high.” Last night was the first night of a 9-week webinar series with Dave Ramsey. The widely talked about “Financial Peace University” was being offered at a location that was a five minute drive from where I live. I call it fate. With work kit in hand I strolled into the classroom with my “learning hat” on. Dave spoke on the 7 “Baby Steps” we needed to take as we started on the path to financial freedom. I thought, “Wow, I’m already doing/have done these things so I’m in good shape,” but there’s always room for improvement. There’s always room to learn more, or to build from what you already know. One word that remained a continuous emphasis during his webinar presentation was the word “DISCIPLINE.” This is something I’ve stressed throughout my Financial Fitness Boot Camp postings. Discipline is the key to financial freedom. Delaying gratification is a key to financial freedom. Sticking to a strict budget is a key to financial freedom. Eliminating debt is a key to financial freedom. Now who wouldn’t want those keys in their possession? These are my words, not Dave’s. Sometimes however, reinforcement is needed to show us we’re on the right track…. that we have the right mindset.

Dave’s presentation was filled with so much useful information. His passion and enthusiasm is what keeps me hanging on to his every word. I will share STEP ONE of the seven baby steps:

BABY STEP 1: CREATE AN EMERGENCY FUND ACCOUNT OF $1000 ($500 if your income is less than $20K per year.)

I’ve spoke of maintaining an emergency fund in previous blog posts. Your emergency fund account is for just that…. EMERGENCIES. This account is NOT for purchases. It is for the unforeseen mishaps that occur in life. Car and/or house repairs, an unexpected medical expense, or perhaps a school or extracurricular-related expense regarding your child(ren.) Whatever the case, having an emergency fund alleviates the pressure and stress of wondering, “How am I or how are we going to pay for this?”

FYI…. BE SURE TO REPLENISH THE ACCOUNT.

I could say so much more about what was said in last night’s class but I chose to highlight what I thought was most important and each week for the next nine weeks, I will share with you what I believe is the most important takeaway from each session. I could have easily mentioned how DISCIPLINE was most important or how taking responsibility was important as well, but I would hope by now, you’ve already taken responsibility, are serious and you’re ready to implement the necessary “discipline” to reach your financial goal(s.) You’re way past that. It is now time for action.

This is an excellent class for the person who’s “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” It’s for the person who wants to control your finances instead of allowing your finances to control and dictate you. The Financial Peace University kit comes with so many useful references, I can’t wait to sit down and go through it all.

I highly recommend couples take advantage of this class. A fairly large percentage of marriages fail not because of infidelity as most people think, but because of money-related issues. It only strengthens your bond if you’re not only on the same page spiritually and mentally, but on the same page FINANCIALLY as well. Remember, you’re working as a team.

Some of you may be thinking, “Oh, we’ve heard this type of story a million times,” or “It’s the same recycled message,” which in a lot of cases is true. What differentiates each story is the way in which it is told. Everyone’s circumstances are different. Although I don’t know him personally, I look up to Dave Ramsey as a mentor and I admire him greatly. His story is unique, but so is the story of anyone who was once drowning in debt, attacked that debt “head on” and was triumphant in its defeat (if you haven’t guessed, I’m always brushing up my writing skills) and everyone, including myself, has a unique story to tell.

I hope my postings will prove useful to you. It is my goal to educate and coach those who may not know where to begin on their road to finding “financial freedom,” “financial peace” or my personal fave, becoming “financially fit.” I would also like to focus on the “financial fitness” of our youth as it will prove beneficial to them in the long run. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) says: Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. The sooner the child is educated about money, the more sound decisions he will make regarding it when he is older. The longer that child has to save, the more he will have to invest and “give back” whether it’s through the church and/or to others.

If ONE person finds the information I provide beneficial, I’m doing my job. It is my sincerest prayer I am doing just that. Thank you all for reading this post.

“QUOTE OF THE DAY”

"When you don't have character within, you can't have respect without." ~John Maxwell

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MEET COACH ANDREA

Congratulations on your decision to become financially free! One of the first steps to financial freedom is becoming financially literate. Read on for blog postings on budgeting, saving, understanding credit, investing, wealth building and more. Feel free to share this blog with others (remember, sharing is caring!) Thanks for stopping by.